Portable and storable shoe drying machine

ABSTRACT

A portable and storable shoe drying machine includes a main body portion and a heater. The main body portion includes a base, heat transfer tubes mounted on the base, and object supports. Heat generated by the heater is outputted from the heat transfer tubes. The base includes a storage seat provided with a storage space and a bracing portion. The heat transfer tubes are mounted onto the storage seat; and the bracing portion is capable of changing between a storage state and an open state relative to the storage seat. The shoe drying machine is capable of reducing occupied space and facilitating carrying, packaging, and transport while simultaneously increasing the area of support, enhancing stability, and preventing toppling.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a household article, and more particularly to a portable and storable shoe drying machine.

2. Description of the Prior Art

A conventional shoe drying machine includes a main body, a heater and a fan. The main body includes a base, a heat transfer tube and an object support. The heat transfer tube is installed on the base. The object support is installed on the heat transfer tube. The heater and the fan are installed in the main body. The hot air generated by the fan and the heater is blown out from the heat transfer tube.

In order to support the shoe drying machine stably and avoid the shoe drying machine from toppling when in use, the supporting area of the base should be large enough. Because the supporting area is large enough, the base occupies a large space, and it is inconvenient to carry, pack, and transport.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems in the prior art, the primary object of the present invention is to provide a portable and storable shoe drying machine.

One of the technical solutions provided by the present invention is as follows:

A portable and storable shoe drying machine comprises a main body portion and a heater. The main body portion includes a base, a heat transfer tube, and an object support. The heat transfer tube is mounted on the base. The object support is mounted on the heat transfer tube. The heater is mounted in the main body portion. Heat generated by the heater is outputted from the heat transfer tube. The base includes a storage seat having a storage space and a bracing portion. The heat transfer tube is mounted on the storage seat. The bracing portion is movably connected to the storage seat and is capable of changing between a storage state and an open state relative to the storage seat. The bracing portion when in the storage state is stored in the storage space of the storage seat. The bracing portion when in the open state is located outside of the storage seat.

Preferably, the bracing portion is rotatably connected to the storage seat.

Alternatively, the bracing portion is slidably connected to the storage seat.

Preferably, the storage seat has a bottom casing. The bottom casing has a top wall and a peripheral wall extending downward from a periphery of the top wall. A bottom of the peripheral wall is formed with a notch matching the bracing portion. The heat transfer tube is mounted on the top wall. The storage space is formed in the bottom casing.

Preferably, the bracing portion is rotatably connected to the storage seat and aligned with the notch. The bracing portion when in the open state is located outside of the bottom casing. The bracing portion when in the storage state is located in the bottom casing.

Preferably, a bottom surface of the bracing portion when in the open state is flush with a bottom surface of the bottom casing.

Preferably, the storage seat further has a winding structure fixedly connected in the bottom casing. A space below the winding structure of the bottom casing is defined as the storage space.

Preferably, the heat transfer tube includes an inner tube and an outer tube that is movably sleeved onto the inner tube so that a length of the heat transfer tube is adjustable. The inner tube is detachably or fixedly connected to the storage seat.

Preferably, an outer wall of the inner tube is provided with a guide protrusion. An inner wall of the outer tube is provided with a guide groove mated with the guide protrusion. The inner wall of the outer tube is provided with at least one positioning groove. The positioning groove vertically communicates with the guide groove and is mated with the guide protrusion.

Preferably, the object support includes a mounting portion. The mounting portion has an insertion portion. A width of the insertion portion changes along a height direction. By changing the width of the insertion portion, the insertion portion is matched with an inner diameter of the outer tube and an inner diameter of the inner tube.

Preferably, the insertion portion is formed with two lower limits and two upper limits A maximum distance between the two lower limits is less than a maximum distance between the two upper limits The maximum distance between the two lower limits is matched with the inner diameter of the inner tube. The maximum distance between the two upper limits is matched with the inner diameter of the outer tube.

Preferably, the object support and the heat transfer tube constitute a connecting structure that can be assembled and disassembled so that the shoe drying machine can be mounted with different object supports.

Preferably, the object support includes a mounting portion and a supporting portion configured to support an object to be dried. The mounting portion is connected to the heat transfer tube. The supporting portion is rotatably connected to the mounting portion so that an angle between the supporting portion and the mounting portion is adjustable.

The second technical solution provided by the present invention is as follows:

A portable and storable shoe drying machine comprises a main body portion and a heater. The main body portion includes a base, a heat transfer tube, and an object support. The heat transfer tube is mounted on the base. The object support is mounted on the heat transfer tube. The heater is mounted in the main body portion. Heat generated by the heater is outputted from the heat transfer tube. The base includes a storage seat and a bracing portion. The heat transfer tube is mounted on the storage seat. The bracing portion is movably connected to the storage seat and is capable of changing between a storage state and an open state relative to the storage seat. The bracing portion when in the open state is located outside of the storage seat, and a bottom surface of the bracing portion is flush with a bottom surface of a bottom casing.

The present invention provides the following beneficial effects.

The base of the shoe drying machine includes a storage seat and a bracing portion. The bracing portion is movably connected to the storage seat and is capable of changing between a storage state and an open state relative to the storage seat. Therefore, the shoe drying machine overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art and provides the following technical effects. Firstly, the bracing portion when in the storage state is stored in the storage space of the storage seat, so as to reduce the occupied space and facilitate carrying, packaging, transportation, etc. Secondly, the bracing portion when in the open state is located outside of the storage seat. The bracing portion and the storage seat play a supporting role together. The storage seat and the bracing portion are expanded to support the shoe drying machine on the ground where the shoe drying machine is placed, so as to increase the supporting area, enhance stability, and avoid toppling.

The storage seat has a bottom casing. The bottom casing is formed with a notch. The bracing portion is rotatably connected to the bottom casing and aligned with the notch. The bracing portion when in the open state is located outside of the bottom casing. The bottom surface of the bracing portion is flush with the bottom surface of the bottom casing to improve the support stability.

The bracing portion when in the storage state is located in the storage space in the bottom casing. The structure is simple and compact.

The storage seat further has a winding structure fixed in the bottom casing. The storage seat can also receive electric wires to prevent the electric wires from being scattered on the ground and affecting the appearance.

The heat transfer tube includes an inner tube and an outer tube that is movably sleeved onto the inner tube so that the length of the heat transfer tube is adjustable. The tube can be stretched and retracted to fit shoes of different depths, such as boots, high top shoes or low top shoes.

The outer wall of the inner tube is provided with a guide protrusion, the inner wall of the outer tube is provided with a guide groove, and the inner wall of the outer tube is also provided with at least one positioning groove to realize a guiding function. After being rotated, the guide protrusion is positioned in the positioning groove to keep the position after adjustment.

The supporting portion is rotatably connected to the mounting portion so that an angle between the supporting portion and the mounting portion is adjustable.

The supporting portion can be rotated upwards at a certain angle according to different shoe shapes, so that the nozzle of the heat transfer tube and the inside of the shoe form a relatively smooth and straight cavity for the heat to reach the tail of the shoe more quickly, thereby improving the drying effect. It overcomes the disadvantage that the shoe support of the conventional shoe drying machine cannot rotate and can only be retained at one angle. Generally, the supporting portion and the mounting portion are at a right angle to fit the boots, but the hot air is very slow to reach the end of the shoe for drying the shoe.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a first perspective view of the shoe drying machine, wherein the heat transfer tube is in an extended state and the shoe support is at a first angle;

FIG. 2 is a second perspective view of the shoe drying machine, wherein the heat transfer tube is in a retracted state and the shoe support is at the first angle;

FIG. 3 is a third perspective view of the shoe drying machine, wherein the object support is a spherical head support for supporting a helmet;

FIG. 4 is a fourth perspective view of the shoe drying machine, wherein the object support is a palm-shaped object support for supporting a glove;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the shoe drying machine;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the shoe drying machine;

FIG. 7 is a fifth perspective view of the shoe drying machine, wherein the heat transfer tube is in an extended state and the shoe support is at a second angle;

FIG. 8 is a sixth perspective view of the shoe drying machine, wherein the heat transfer tube is in an extended state and the shoe support is at a third angle;

FIG. 9 is a first front view of the shoe drying machine, wherein the bracing portion is in an open state;

FIG. 10 is a second front view of the shoe drying machine, wherein the bracing portion is to be folded from the open state;

FIG. 11 is a third front view of the shoe drying machine, wherein the bracing portion is in a folded state;

FIG. 12 is a first perspective view of the shoe support of the shoe drying machine at an angle;

FIG. 13 is a second perspective view of the shoe support of the shoe drying machine at an angle; and

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the shoe support of the shoe drying machine at another angle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A portable and storable shoe drying machine, referring to FIG. 1 through FIG. 14, comprises a main body portion, a heater 40, and a fan. The main body portion comprises a base 10, a heat transfer tube 20, and an object support 30. The fan may be not provided according to needs. The heater generates hot air to heat the objects to be dried by natural convection.

The base 10 includes a storage seat 11 having a storage space 112 and a bracing portion 12. The bracing portion 12 is movably connected to the storage seat 11 and is capable of changing between a storage state and an open state relative to the storage seat 11. As shown in FIG. 11, the bracing portion 12 when in the storage state is stored in the storage space 112 of the storage seat 11 to reduce the occupied space and facilitate carrying, packaging, transportation, etc. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 10, the bracing portion 12 when in the open state is located outside of the storage seat 11. The storage seat 11 and the bracing portion 12 are expanded to support the shoe drying machine on the ground where the shoe drying machine is placed, so as to increase the supporting area, enhance stability, and avoid toppling.

The storage seat 11 has a bottom casing 111. The bottom casing 111 has a top wall and a peripheral wall extending downward from the periphery of the top wall. The bottom of the peripheral wall is formed with a notch 113 matching the bracing portion 12. The bracing portion 12 is U-shaped, which may be in other shapes as required. The U-shaped two open ends of the bracing portion 12 are rotatably connected to the bottom casing 111. According to requirements, connecting pieces are fixedly connected to the notch. The open ends are rotatably connected to the connecting pieces, so that the bracing portion 12 is rotatably connected to the bottom casing and aligned with the notch 113. The bracing portion 12 when in the open state is located outside of the bottom casing 111. The bottom surface of the bracing portion 12 is flush with the bottom surface of the bottom casing 111. The bracing portion 12 when in the storage state is located in the storage space 112 of the bottom casing 111. The angle between the bracing portion 12 when in the storage state and the bottom casing is 0 degrees. The angle between the bracing portion 12 when in the open state and the bottom casing is 180 degrees. The bracing portion is U-shaped, with simple structure and high supporting stability.

Preferably, the storage seat 11 further has a winding structure 114 fixed in the bottom casing 111. The winding structure 114 is fixed under a receiving box 115 in the bottom casing 111. The space below the winding structure 114 of the bottom casing 111 is defined as the storage space 112.

The heat transfer tube 20 is mounted onto the base 10. The heat transfer tube 20 includes an inner tube 21 and an outer tube 22 that is movably sleeved onto the inner tube 21 so that the length of the heat transfer tube 20 is adjustable. The inner tube 21 is fixedly connected to the top wall of the bottom casing 111 of the storage seat 11. The heater 40 is equipped with a metal heat conducting device 50, such as a metal heat conducting sheet. The heater 40 and the metal heat conducting device 50 are fixedly installed in the inner tube 21. The heat flow generated by the metal heat conducting device 50 and the heater 40 is blown out from the heat transfer tube 20. The inner tube 21 and the outer tube 22 form a telescopic tube through a sliding connection or a threaded connection. The specific structure is that the wires pass through the top wall to enter the inner tube and are electrically connected to the heater. According to needs, the present invention may further include a fan. For example, the fan is installed in the base or the inner tube. The fan and the heater cooperate to generate hot air, and the hot air is blown out from the nozzle of the heat transfer tube 20 to deliver heat energy.

Preferably, the outer wall of the inner tube 21 is provided with a guide protrusion 211. The inner wall of the outer tube 22 is provided with a guide groove 221 mated with the guide protrusion 211. The inner wall of the outer tube 22 is also provided with at least one positioning groove. The positioning groove vertically communicates with the guide groove and is mated with the guide protrusion 211, so that the guide protrusion 211 can slide along the guide groove 221 to control the relative sliding of the inner and outer tubes and control the length of the heat transfer tube 20. The outer tube is rotated relative to the inner tube, enabling the guide protrusion to move along the positioning groove (when the guide protrusion is aligned with the positioning groove). In this embodiment, the positioning groove is disposed at the bottom of the outer tube 22 and extends to the bottom surface of the outer tube 22.

The object support 30 and the heat transfer tube 20 constitute a connecting structure that can be assembled and disassembled. The shoe drying machine can be mounted with various object supports.

The object support 30 is, for example, a palm-shaped object support for supporting gloves, or a shoe support for supporting shoes, or a spherical head support for supporting helmets. The object support 30 can be replaced with a different one for use trough a detachable structure. The structure of the object support 30 as a shoe support will be specifically described below.

The object support 30 includes a mounting portion 31 and a supporting portion 32 configured to support the object to be dried.

The mounting portion 31 has an insertion portion 311. The width of the insertion portion 311 changes along the height direction. By changing the width of the insertion portion 311, the insertion portion 311 is matched with both the inner diameter of the outer tube 22 and the inner diameter of the inner tube 21. The insertion portion 311 is formed with two lower limits 312 and two upper limits 313. Through the lower limits 312 and the upper limits 313, the insertion portion 311 forms a stepped structure. The maximum distance between the two lower limits 312 is less than the maximum distance between the two upper limits 313. The maximum distance between the two lower limits 312 is matched with the inner diameter of the inner tube 21. The maximum distance between the two upper limits 313 is matched with the inner diameter of the outer tube 22. When the heat transfer tube 20 is in an extended state, the insertion portion 311 is inserted into the outer tube 22, and the two upper limits 313 are supported against the top end face of the outer tube 22. When the heat transfer tube 20 is in a retracted state, the insertion portion 311 is inserted into the inner tube 21, and the two lower limits 312 are supported against the top end faces of the inner and outer tubes 21, 22.

According to needs, the insertion portion 311 includes an insertion plate, a first balance plate 314 that is vertically fixed to the insertion plate, and a second balance plate 315 that is opposite to the first balance plate 314 and spaced a determined distance apart from the first balance plate 314. The insertion plate is provided with the two lower limits 312 and two upper limits 313. When the insertion plate is inserted into the tube, the first balance plate 314 is located in the tube, and the second balance plate 315 abuts against the outside of the tube to enhance balance. Through the structure of the insertion portion 311, the mounting portion 31 can be attached to the outer tube 21 when the heat transfer tube is in an extended state, and can be attached to the inner tube 22 when the heat transfer tube is in a retracted state. According to needs, the first balance plate 314 may be provided with the two lower limits 312 and the two upper limits 313 described above. The lower limits 312 and the upper limits 313 of the first balance plate 314 are flush with the lower limits 312 and the upper limits 313 of the insertion portion 311, respectively.

Preferably, the supporting portion 32 is rotatably connected to the mounting portion 31. The angle between the supporting portion 32 and the mounting portion 31 is adjustable through a rotatable connection, so that the shoe support can be bent. It is convenient to adjust the angle of the shoe to be placed and the heat transfer tube 20 according to any shoe style, so as to achieve dry the end of the shoe in a fast manner. The present invention can be applied to different shoe types to achieve the fastest drying efficiency and to overcome the following technical problems in the conventional shoe drying machine. In the prior art, when the shoe is put onto the shoe drying machine, the end of the shoe can only be at an angle, that is, a right angle between the object support 30 and the heat transfer 20. It is easy to cause the hot air flow to be blocked and cannot reach the inner end of the shoe quickly. Alternatively, the object support 30 and the heat transfer tube 20 are arranged horizontally. Because the barrel of a long boot is too long, the sole and the barrel (ankle position) are substantially at a right angle. Besides, winter boots are thick and hard. For the barrel of the long boot to be completely inserted into the heat transfer tube, the corresponding ankle position of the object support 30 needs to be properly deformed to be at a right angle with the tube. Otherwise, long boots or leather boots cannot be deformed according to the same horizontal direction formed by the object support 30 and the heat transfer tube 20. As a result, it is not easy to completely fit the boot onto the object support 30 and the tube for drying. In a specific structure, the supporting portion 32 includes a connecting plate and a supporting plate 321 vertically fixed to the connecting plate. The supporting plate 321 can support the sole. The connecting plate is rotatably connected to the insertion plate.

Although particular embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention is not to be limited except as by the appended claims.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The base of the shoe drying machine of the present invention includes a storage seat and a bracing portion. The bracing portion is capable of changing between a storage state and an open state relative to the storage seat. The bracing portion when in the storage state is stored in the storage space of the storage seat to reduce the occupied space. The bracing portion when in the open state is located outside of the storage seat. The bracing portion and the storage seat play a supporting role together. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A portable and storable shoe drying machine, comprising a main body portion and a heater, the main body portion including a base, a heat transfer tube and an object support, the heat transfer tube being mounted on the base, the object support being mounted on the heat transfer tube, the heater being mounted in the main body portion, heat generated by the heater being outputted from the heat transfer tube; the base including a storage seat having a storage space and a bracing portion, the heat transfer tube being mounted on the storage seat, the bracing portion being movably connected to the storage seat and being capable of changing between a storage state and an open state relative to the storage seat, the bracing portion when in the storage state being stored in the storage space of the storage seat, the bracing portion when in the open state being located outside of the storage seat.
 2. The portable and storable shoe drying machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bracing portion is rotatably connected to the storage seat.
 3. The portable and storable shoe drying machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bracing portion is slidably connected to the storage seat.
 4. The portable and storable shoe drying machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the storage seat has a bottom casing, the bottom casing has a top wall and a peripheral wall extending downward from a periphery of the top wall, a bottom of the peripheral wall is formed with a notch matching the bracing portion, the heat transfer tube is mounted on the top wall, the storage space is formed in the bottom casing; the bracing portion is rotatably connected to the storage seat and aligned with the notch, the bracing portion when in the open state is located outside of the bottom casing, the bracing portion when in the storage state is located in the bottom casing.
 5. The portable and storable shoe drying machine as claimed in claim 4, wherein a bottom surface of the bracing portion when in the open state is flush with a bottom surface of the bottom casing.
 6. The portable and storable shoe drying machine as claimed in claim 4, wherein the storage seat further has a winding structure fixedly connected in the bottom casing, and a space below the winding structure of the bottom casing is defined as the storage space.
 7. The portable and storable shoe drying machine as claimed in any one of claims 1-6, wherein the heat transfer tube includes an inner tube and an outer tube that is movably sleeved onto the inner tube so that a length of the heat transfer tube is adjustable, and the inner tube is detachably or fixedly connected to the storage seat.
 8. The portable and storable shoe drying machine as claimed in claim 7, wherein an outer wall of the inner tube is provided with a guide protrusion, an inner wall of the outer tube is provided with a guide groove mated with the guide protrusion; the inner wall of the outer tube is provided with at least one positioning groove, the positioning groove vertically communicates with the guide groove and is mated with the guide protrusion.
 9. The portable and storable shoe drying machine as claimed in claim 7, wherein the object support includes a mounting portion, the mounting portion has an insertion portion, a width of the insertion portion changes along a height direction, by changing the width of the insertion portion, the insertion portion is matched with an inner diameter of the outer tube and an inner diameter of the inner tube.
 10. The portable and storable shoe drying machine as claimed in claim 9, wherein the insertion portion is formed with two lower limits and two upper limits, a maximum distance between the two lower limits is less than a maximum distance between the two upper limits, the maximum distance between the two lower limits is matched with the inner diameter of the inner tube, and the maximum distance between the two upper limits is matched with the inner diameter of the outer tube.
 11. The portable and storable shoe drying machine as claimed in any one of claims 1-6, wherein the object support and the heat transfer tube constitute a connecting structure that can be assembled and disassembled so that the shoe drying machine can be mounted with different object supports.
 12. The portable and storable shoe drying machine as claimed in any one of claims 1-6, wherein the object support includes a mounting portion and a supporting portion configured to support an object to be dried, the mounting portion is connected to the heat transfer tube; the supporting portion is rotatably connected to the mounting portion so that an angle between the supporting portion and the mounting portion is adjustable.
 13. A portable and storable shoe drying machine, comprising a main body portion and a heater, the main body portion including a base, a heat transfer tube and an object support, the heat transfer tube being mounted on the base, the object support being mounted on the heat transfer tube, the heater being mounted in the main body portion, heat generated by the heater being outputted from the heat transfer tube; the base including a storage seat and a bracing portion, the heat transfer tube being mounted on the storage seat, the bracing portion being movably connected to the storage seat and being capable of changing between a storage state and an open state relative to the storage seat, the bracing portion when in the open state is located outside of the storage seat and a bottom surface of the bracing portion being flush with a bottom surface of a bottom casing. 